Also, we recommend to you use as STACK address value between 8000h-0BFFFh. It will care you to avoid mistakes with STACK. The DSS and BIOS functions can opened another memory pages in third memory window 0C000h-0FFFFh.

30 May 2002.PETERS PLUS LTD.

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Q10010. How to use FastRAM?

Summary

This article describe features of using FastRAM.

Guide

For activating FastRAM you need execute CPU instruction IN A,(#FB). After that, in the first memory frame (0000h-3FFFh) will paged empty 16K of FastRAM memory. You may use this memory for more fast routine speed. FastRAM not require any allocation calls for use it. And you shouldn't stored the actual data there.Remember, if you execute external program, it may destroy your data and code in FastRAM.And you must do copy your code to FastRAM again for restore it.Also you can't call BIOS or DSS function during FastRAM are activated.For deactivating FastRAM you need execute CPU instruction IN A,(#7B).After that, a first memory frame will paged back 16K of normal memory.

We recommend to disable interrupts for avoid any errors when you will switch FastRAM.

More information

Today, only 16K of FastRAM are available for use.If you want to use the interrupts, you should put interrupt handler in #0038.If you plan to use Accelerator in your FastRAM-routine, you must placed data for it more high than #3FFF.

FastRAM will be useful in following cases:

1. If you not use the Accelerator.2. If you use the RAM data not so often.3. If program stack was placed into the FastRAM.

1 August 2002.PETERS PLUS LTD.

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Q10015. How to load any palette or separate color?

Summary

This article contain examples of loading a palette and separated color.

Q10004. Sprinter computer not work with two 3.5" floppy disk drives (FDD).

Symptoms

Two 3,5" FDD was connected to the crossed FDD ribbon cable. FDD "A" not work.

Cause

Usage of crossed FDD ribbon cable.

Solution

Use FDD which has jumper "A/B device" and FDD ribbon cable from Sprinter's mainboard package. If you haven't Sprinter's FDD ribbon cable, make Sprinter's FDD ribbon cable from a standard FDD ribbon cable. You should uncross the cable.

30 May 2002.PETERS PLUS LTD.[/b]

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Q10006. Video cable for Amstrad CTM644 monitor.

Summary

This article include info of video cable pins for Amstrad CTM644 monitor.

More information

Code:

CTM644 pins Sprinter DB15 pins

2 GND 1 4 composite sync 13 6 green 10 7 red 11 8 blue 9

30 May 2002.PETERS PLUS LTD.

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Q10007. How to install CD-ROM drive?

Summary

This article describe CD-ROM drive installation.WARNING! Installing a new drive such as a CD-ROM drive or hard disk involves opening computer cover, and handling internal cables and wiring. Because of this, you should not try to install a CD-ROM drive or hard disk unless you are already very familiar with the process. For information about how to install a CD-ROM drive or hard disk, contact the manufacturer of the device, or view the documentation included with your device.

Solution

1. Check jumper position at the back side of the CD-ROM drive. CD-ROM drive must be set as Slave device if you have installed HDD as IDE Master.2. Switch off your computer.3. Install your CD-ROM drive in the computer case.4. Switch on the computer.5. Check BIOS autodetection message for SLAVE IDE device. BIOS must detect your CD-ROM drive and write its name.

More Information

Also you can specify CD-ROM drive for the IDE SLAVE manually by Setup Utility.1. Enter to the Setup Utility (by press "Delete" key when a computer starting).2. Select "IDE Slave" item and change it to the "CD-ROM".3. Press "F10" key for exit with save changes.

Today, Estex DSS support four screen modes: text 40x32 with 16 colors (mode 02h); text 80x32 with 16 colors (mode 03h); graphic 320x256 with 256 colors (mode 81h); graphic 640x256 with 16 colors (mode 82h); The default mode for the DSS is 80x32 text mode, if your program need another screen mode then you need to switch it by DSS function 50h (SETVMOD). Also before switching you should ask DSS and save current screen mode by function 51h (GETVMOD). And when you program will be ready to finished, restore it by 50h (SETVMOD). for example:

For painting at the graphic screen memory, you need to set one of three memory frames 04000h-07FFFh, 08000h-0BFFFh, 0C000h-0FFFFh. It can be made by set value 50h to the ports 0A2h, 0C2h or 0E2h. Don't forgot about STACK place! for example: if you want to set one point then routine for 81h mode will look like:

Q10019. Routine (GetSwitch) of filling of ASCIIZ buffer with the command-line parameter value.

More information

Routine fills an ASCIIZ buffer with the string after the "=" sign of a predetermined command-line switch of the form /SWITCH=VALUE. The switch name is *NOT* case sensitive.

Assembler

Any assembler.

Input

(SP+0)=Ret address(SP+2)=Address of cmdline ASCIIZ string, preceded by its len in ONE byte(SP+4)=Address of ASCIIZ parameter to find its value(SP+6)=Address of ASCIIZ buffer to fill with the parameter's value

Output

Carry flag reset=OKCarry flag set=Error (no chars in cmdline, etc)A : ZeroBC: Amount of chars remaining in command lineDE: Points to the terminating NULL of the buffer to fillHL: Points to one after the last byte copied from the cmdline

Q10020. Routine (ExpandMacros) of expanded macros in an ASCII buffer with the nth ASCIIZ string from another buffer.

More information

Will replace occurrences of "%1" to "%9" in an ASCIIZ buffer for the Nth ASCIIZ string from a parameter buffer, delivering an ASCII (not ASCIIZ) string in a supplied address. The parameter string block MUST start with a NULL char (ASCII 0).

Q10022. Routine (Ascii2Word) of converting an ASCIIZ buffer with numbers to a word.

More information

Routine converts an ASCIIZ number to a 2-byte value. The number can have a prefix character to preset the number base. In case of hex numbers, the letter case does NOT matter. This routine DOES NOT deal with negative or fractional numbers. All returned values are positive. The routine will work with values in the range 0 - 65,535 (dec), 0 - FFFF (hex), 0 - 177777 (oct), or 0 - 1111 1111 1111 1111 (bin).

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